Not lurking anymore

Been lurking around getting info for my 99 TJ eventual rebuild.
Now is the time.
Clutch is worn, 3rd gear is tough to get into. Tore the tub loose last fall. Got a sweet deal on a clean tub.
As soon as the snow goes away, I'm making her naked.

 

Welcome @FishinSam ! your project TJ will make a great build thread. And post pics of her naked too!

 

Hey thanks.
Wish I didn't have to pull the tub off but it gives me the opportunity to spend the time to get everything right on her. 20 years of giving me all she's got, time to give some back.

 

Welcome from SE Texas!!

ORB

 

While the tub is off would be a good time to replace the clutch. If not at least remove the top two bolts on the bell housing and replace them with regular hex head bolts, they are currently a torx head.
LUK are good clutches, factory equipment from what I have heard. You might also replace the slave cylinder while you are at it. Redline MT90 is a good fluid for the trans that should help smooth out the shifting.
While you have the trans off the engine (before doing the clutch) you might want to check the end play of the crankshaft. If the thrust bearing is worn you will have excessive play. Excessive is a relative term here as we are talking about a few thousandths of an inch. I am not sure that excessive end play is such an issue with an external slave cylinder but with my internal slave it caused it to over extend and puke fluid. The thrust bearing is not hard to change, the most difficult part is getting the oil pan off.

 

Thanks Prerunner.
Likely I'll toss the 4.0l and AX15 and swap in a 5.3l and tran I have from my Tahoe that I parted out. The 4.0l has 220,000 miles on it an only a major $$ overhaul will bring it back to "decent". I don't have those kind of funds. My 4 year fight with cancers made sure of that. Gotta just keep looking for good parts that I can't repair or already have in storage. TJ parts are getting rare up here in western Canada. Or they aren't much better than the one you're replacing.
If I don't swap it out, I will definitely HAVE to do some work on the clutch. Pedal travels far to change gears.
Thanks for the advice, either way.
Cheers

 

Welcome from Ohio!! Start up a progress/build thread so we can stay up to date with what you've accomplished on the restoration. We all love this type of stuff

 

Hello Ohio!
I will post pics on the strip & rebuild but I'll warn you all now - I'm old with an 8 year old son that likes to rebuild boats with me and I work in the northern bush for 21days a month straight.
Be patient, I'll try not to bore you.